McDuffie scores 32 as Wichita State beats Providence 83-80
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Markis McDuffie scored a career-high 32 points and sparked a second-half run that carried Wichita State past Providence 83-80 Friday night.
Playing at the Naval Academy in the opener of the Veteran's Classic, the Shockers (1-1) bounced back from an early 10-point deficit to avoid their first 0-2 start since 1990.
Alpha Diallo had a career-high 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Friars (1-1), who trailed the entire second half.
Wichita State was clinging to a 51-49 lead before McDuffie made a four-point play. That launched an 11-2 spurt for an 11-point cushion with 12:55 left.
After Providence closed to 76-72, McDuffie made a layup to thwart the comeback bid.
McDuffie went 12 for 19 from the field, including 6 for 9 from 3-point range. His previous career high was 26.
The 6-foot-8 forward is one of two seniors on a team that lost nine players after going 25-8 and reaching the NCAA Tournament for a seventh consecutive season.
The other senior on the current squad, Samajae Haynes-Jones, had 15 points and eight assists.
A.J. Reeves scored 19 for Providence, a solid encore to his 29-point performance against Sienna in his college debut.
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Game Information
- Referees:
- Mike Roberts
- Lamar Simpson
- Roger Ayers
2024-25 American Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Texas | 5-1 | - | 14-4 |
| UAB | 5-1 | - | 12-7 |
| Memphis | 4-1 | 0.5 | 14-4 |
| Temple | 4-2 | 1 | 12-7 |
| Tulane | 4-2 | 1 | 10-9 |
| Florida Atlantic | 3-3 | 2 | 10-9 |
| South Florida | 3-3 | 2 | 10-9 |
| East Carolina | 3-4 | 2.5 | 11-9 |
| Rice | 2-4 | 3 | 11-8 |
| UTSA | 2-4 | 3 | 8-10 |
| Tulsa | 2-4 | 3 | 8-11 |
| Wichita State | 1-4 | 3.5 | 11-7 |
| Charlotte | 1-6 | 4.5 | 8-12 |
2024-25 Big East Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. John's | 8-1 | - | 17-3 |
| Marquette | 7-1 | 0.5 | 16-3 |
| UConn | 6-2 | 1.5 | 14-5 |
| Creighton | 6-2 | 1.5 | 13-6 |
| Villanova | 5-4 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Georgetown | 4-4 | 3.5 | 13-6 |
| Xavier | 4-5 | 4 | 12-8 |
| Providence | 3-5 | 4.5 | 9-10 |
| Butler | 1-7 | 6.5 | 8-11 |
| Seton Hall | 1-7 | 6.5 | 6-13 |
| DePaul | 1-8 | 7 | 10-10 |
Men's College Basketball News
